Green Lantern Blackstars #1 (of 3) Review

Writer: Grant Morrison 

Artist: Xermanico

Colorist: Steve Oliff

Letterer: Steve Wands

Published by: DC

After taking over the reigns of Green Lantern a year ago, Morrison continues his story of Hal Jordan’s story with the Blackstars in this three issue mini-series. Where it places itself in the wider DC Universe and if it will affect DC’s space-faring heroes is yet to be seen. 

Before I begin this review, I’ll state that I did not read the majority of Morrison’s (and Sharp’s) run on Green Lantern and because of this, I was slightly lost at points throughout this issue. Going in, I knew that Hal Jordan joined the Blackstars and was now going by Parallax, though I didn’t have the context of whether or not this was done of his own free will or not. This uncertainty doesn’t help trying to understand the story being told, and at points felt more like I was reading an Elseworlds tale (was I?). I’m not a huge fan of over exposition or even recap pages, but it would have been nice to have either one at the beginning of the issue. 

Having said that, what was in the issue was entertaining and looks to be brining Jordan to a potential crossroads. Morrison structured the story in a countdown format: going from day four all the way to day zero. We get glimpses of what has become of the Green Lantern’s home planet of Oa and how the Blackstars are rebuilding it (I’m guessing it was destroyed in the previous series maybe?) and get a glimpse of its secrets. Add to that a stop at Warworld and Mogul and finally glimpses of Controller Mu and his plans. All this happens at a pretty fast pace and Morrison is making sure to add as much story as possible within this first issue (or a three issue series). 

Succeeding Liam Sharp on art is an artist I am unfamiliar with in Xermanico. Their style isn’t as detailed as Sharp’s, but still has a similar essence that makes all the pages really stand out. You can tell from the first page that Xermanico has a good eye for scale and perspective as we are drawn in as the reader to each image.